FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Media Contact: Penny Martin
Phone: 614.728.2911
Email: pmartin@ohiohome.org
Shiloh Todorov
Phone: 614.787.7129
Email: Shiloh.todorov@movetoprosper.org
Ohio Housing Finance Agency partners with Move to PROSPER to Improve Economic Mobility for Central Ohio Families
COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio Housing Finance Agency is providing $75,000 in additional funding to Move to PROSPER to support its Empower 100 initiative, an initiative that improves outcomes for families with low-wage jobs, and their children. Move to PROSPER creates residential and financial stability through temporary rental support and comprehensive life coaching that facilitates successful moves to higher resourced communities.
"Our mission at the Ohio Housing Finance Agency closely aligns with the goals of Move to PROSPER and we are proud to be a partner in the Empower 100 initiative. Safe and affordable housing is an essential part of a strong quality of life," said Shawn Smith, Executive Director of the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. "The results of the pilot program show that providing quality housing and support services can change the path for at-risk families."
The Ohio Housing Finance Agency's investment will help Move to PROSPER provide rental support with life coaching to 100 families over the next three years, enabling them to secure stable housing in higher socioeconomic communities. OHFA previously supported the program's 10-family pilot program, which graduated participants in May 2022.
"Our pilot families saw their incomes rise by an average 58%, or $17,000," said co-founder and President & CEO Amy Klaben, Esq. "That shows us that our approach works, and we are so grateful to OHFA for investing deeply in our plans to serve more families with this unique approach."
Move to PROSPER has three primary goals: to develop a sustainable, local, opportunity-based housing program; to directly expand access to opportunity, foster stability and enhance well-being and long-term prosperity; and to generate regional dialogue on the impact affordable housing can have in these high-opportunity areas.
Created by The Ohio State University and other community partners, Move to PROSPER aims to improve life outcomes for residents and add to the body of knowledge regarding the impact of time-limited rental assistance.
The Empower 100 program is now accepting applications and more information can be found at movetoprosper.org
About Move to Prosper
Move to PROSPER (MTP) is an innovative program to improve life outcomes for children and their mothers by creating opportunities for residential and financial stability. We do this through temporary rental support and comprehensive coaching that facilitates successful moves to higher resourced communities. MTP was piloted as an initiative of The Ohio State University's City and Regional Planning program along with community partners. It is now a stand-alone 501c3.